Term
| What is the proper name: Canada goose, or Canadian goose? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What makes them easy to identify? |
|
Definition
| long graceful necks with bold black and white marks |
|
|
Term
| What formation do they make when flying? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the benefit to moving on large flocks? |
|
Definition
| more eyes and ears to hear predators and look for food; appears larger to predator and they are then less likely to attack |
|
|
Term
| Why is flying in V formation a benefit? |
|
Definition
~conserves energy by reducing the drag force if each bird flew alone
~lead bird gets more tired, facing the undisturbed air, and drops back to rest
~allows geese to communicate better and have more eye contact |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
~large and plump, weighing 13 pounds
~short legs, allowing them to easily walk on land for food far from water
~broad round bill
~webbed feet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| teeth used for cutting around the outside of the broad, round-tipped bill |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
male goose is a gander
male is about 36" in length
female a little smaller and lighter, but they look the same |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| variety of habitats, but are fond of islands in rivers and lakes with an open view; on top of old osprey or heron nests, or muskrat dens, or man-made nesting sites, or grassy areas near water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
female builds it
ground depression nest lined with sticks, cattails, reeds, grasses or down feathers plucked from her breast |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| four to ten creamy white eggs are incubated for nearly a month with the male standing guard |
|
|
Term
| The goslings are precocial. What does that mean? |
|
Definition
| able to walk and swim soon after hatching, although covered with brown fuzzy down |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| both parents stay with goslings; goose broods them at night (sits on them to keep them safe and warm) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Once a gander and goose have mated, they will remain together as long as they are both alive. If one dies, the other will seek another mate |
|
|
Term
| What caused the goose population to drop? |
|
Definition
| unregulated hunting years ago |
|
|
Term
| What has helped geese rebuild their numbers? |
|
Definition
| Pennsylvania's strict hunting season and bag limits; similar wildlife management techniques have also helped the whitetailed deer, black bear and wild turkey populations |
|
|
Term
| How has the state's agricultural industry helped? |
|
Definition
| Unintentionally! Geese have developed a preference for grains and cereal crops found in PA, even though they are known for feeding on aquatic vegetation |
|
|
